Rotary Club of Paducah donates 832 dictionaries to third-grade students

 “For some children, it could be the first and only book they own.” That’s how Rotary Club of Paducah President Mike Muscarella described the importance of the club’s participation in the nation-wide Dictionary Project.

The Paducah Club recently donated and distributed 832 dictionaries to third-grade students in eleven local schools. This year’s project brings the seven-year total to more than 5,800 dictionaries distributed in Paducah/McCracken County schools.

Rotary Club members volunteer their time to prepare the books before they are delivered to the students. A copy of the Rotary Four-Way Test is attached to each book.

“Our Four-Way Test is a simple, yet powerful message to young people about ethics and honesty,” said Steve Bright and Melanie McNeill, co-chairs of the project for the Rotary Club. The Four-Way test is as follows, “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Schools where the books were distributed are: Concord Elementary, Farley Elementary, Heath Elementary, Hendron/Lone Oak Elementary, Lone Oak Elementary, Reidland Elementary, Clark Elementary, McNabb Elementary, Morgan Elementary, St. Mary Elementary, and Community Christian Academy.

Over 16,558,500 children have received a dictionary from volunteers who have participated in the Dictionary Project, and are now able to have easy access to their own reference book.

The Dictionary Project is a non-profit organization that helps students become good writers, active readers and creative thinkers by providing personal dictionaries. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come.

The Rotary Club of Paducah is comprised of more than 200 business and community leaders. Its community outreach programs support the club’s motto of “Service Above Self.”